au0408.jpgMany visually impaired people consider the choice between contact lenses and eyeglasses a difficult one. Perhaps this is because they associate several problems with applying or caring for contact lenses over the relative ease of eyeglasses. With brands like Focus and Air Optix in the contact lens business, rest assured that any problem you could imagine has been envisioned by design and optometry experts and solved prior to the lenses hitting the shelves.

For example, many early complaints about contact lenses revolved around the comfort of the lenses when applied. To solve this issue, designers have made softer, more flexible lenses that adhere to the shape of your eye thus decreasing friction and discomfort.

Another problem many worry about is the application of contact lenses. You’ll see people in cinema act out a harrowing ordeal attempting to insert a lens, when in reality they are designed to slip in and out of the eye only when confronted with a dry surface (aka, your application finger). Thus, lenses stay secure when they are meant to, and can easily be applied or removed.

A third problem many anticipate is the cost of contact lenses exceeding eyeglasses. This is also a misconception. Wile contact lenses can be expensive depending on the brand or prescription; by and large the cost is relative to eyeglasses, which also need to be replaced yearly. Basic lenses, solution and a storage case will run you roughly the same amount as a designer set of eyeglasses for a year. And while many people feel insecure in their glasses, you’ll hardly hear people complain about their insecurities with their contact lenses. In fact, do you have any friends who are disappointed with the choice they made to switch to contacts?



au0401.jpgSome people think about designer eyewear, and they immediately think of stuffy, artistic types with snooty friends and rich taste. That is a common misconception of high fashion. Some looks are designed to hyperbolize an actual concept, for example, when Dior puts on a runway show where every model has pointed shoulder pads, they are not actually suggesting that women emulate the look. Instead, they are signifying to ready-to-wear designers that more defined shoulders will be in fashion that year. Yes, high fashion is a concept that was never meant to be worn by regular folks (or by anyone other than models).

If you want to wear designer clothing and look fresh and fashionable, then take hints from the runway, not exact cues. If you see a lot of a single color, you can bet that will be in vogue that year. If you see larger eyewear on runway models, then its safe to keep your oversized Prada sunnies. Think about the practical application of the runway designs and run with that in creative new ways.

Many women see a look they like and wear it, regardless of what is in fashion—and we applaud that because variety is the spice of life and if everyone were in fashion it wouldn’t be fashionable anymore. On the opposite spectrum, some ladies go way too far in trying to stay hip. Take Lady Gaga, for example. While you may see her as a unique jewel in an otherwise bland musical arena, then consider this – most of Lady Gaga’s outfits were done by professional designers and thus her creativity is not very high at all. Find a happy medium between going too far, and not going far enough.


au0324.jpgDid you know that 75% of all visually impaired people worldwide could have their conditions corrected, and live a more comfortable and meaningful life as a result? That means 75% of all impairments are unnecessary. If you are in the giving spirit, there are many vision-related charities you could donate to. Over one billion people on the planet need eyewear and do not have them, either because of financial restraints or poor access to an optometrist. Below are some charities you might consider donating to, every bit helps lower the number of unnecessarily visually- impaired people worldwide.

Giving Sight (www.givingsight.org) is a charity that sends optometrists to underdeveloped countries, gives people eye exams and eyewear so they can get jobs and improve the quality of their lives. With the right eyewear, a child in a country without steady eye care could go from being technically blind, to having a chance at an education.

The Scojo Foundation (www.scojofoundation.com) is designed to help reading glasses be more accessible in developing countries by training locals in basic optometry skills so they can assess their local need and sell eyewear at a low cost in their community.

Orbis International (www.orbis.org) runs the Flying Eye Hospital, where doctors donate their time and fly to underprivileged areas to give proper eye exams and care to needy people worldwide.

The Fred Hollows Foundation (www.hollows.org.au) believes that indigenous Australians deserve the same health care and life expectancy as other Australians, and they run a vision program helping the needlessly blind of the outback.

The Lions Club International (www.lionsclub.org) collects, cleans, repairs and then sends reused and refurbished eyewear to needy people who could not otherwise afford eyewear. Donations centers exist internationally as well as online.


au0310.jpgTorah Bright has stolen the hearts of Australians everywhere by bringing morality and femininity to the Oakley-infused Olympic events. With her strange boarding stance, amazing grace, and ability to rock the halfpipe like a true professional, Torah proves Aussies are a fighting force. Her recent gold medal win at the 2010 Winter Olympics has heralded her as the top female athlete in her sport. But Torah is much more than that at home.

Torah has helped Roxy, a goggle and outdoor fashion design company, to create a new line after her own name. Meanwhile, she has been sponsored by Roxy for some time, enjoying the girlish flare these goggles provide over their more serious counterparts like Oakley and Adidas. Torah hopes her designs, including her snowboard, goggles, jacket and accessories, will bring femininity to sport that is often perceived as masculine. We think she is making good progress so far.

Torah is trained by her brother, who was himself a boarder. Her sister, Rowena, competed in the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Games. She is engaged to American snowboarder, Jack Welch. Having been educated in New South Wales, Torah (meaning ‘bearer of great messages’) has indeed been primed for gold and has finally delivered her message – Australia’s winter athletes are a force to be reckoned with. And Torah is a great role model for kids back home. As a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints, Torah does not drink, smoke, or engage in other acts she considers immoral. Thus, not only is she brining femininity to snowboarding, she is brining a higher morality to this rough-edged sport.

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